Strong straight-line winds moved through the area with wind gust reports up to 50 miles per hour in Maryland Heights, Mo.; 49 mile per hour gusts in Sullivan, Mo. and Bethalto, Ill.; 45 mile per hour gusts in Anthonies Mill, Mo.; and 40 mile per hour gusts in Chesterfield, Mo.

A Tornado Watch was in effect for parts of the area until 1 p.m., and extended until 4 p.m. for Effingham and Clay counties in Illinois and Perry County, Mo. and Perry and Jefferson counties in Illinois until 5 p.m.

Sandbag volunteers are needed in Clarksville to help fill sandbags. The flood stage for Clarksville is 25 feet, and the river was already over 27 feet by 12 p.m. Thursday. If you would like to volunteer, go to City Hall, 111 Howard Street. Volunteers will then be dispatched to five locations to fill bags. Nobody will be turned away.

Make sure to be prepared for severe weather by having your severe weather kit ready to go.

We will get some sunshine on Friday, but the lows will be well below average.